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Mobilising Saudi's public transportation
HSBC arranges the first green export credit agency (ECA) loan, facilitating German buses to support Riyadh's public transportation
HSBC acted as a Mandated Lead Arranger (MLA), an original lender and the agent bank in a US$258 million Export Credit Agency (ECA) loan for The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Finance (MoF).
The proceeds of the loan, which is the first Green ECA loan in Saudi Arabia, are being used to purchase buses from Germany for Saudi Arabia’s public transport network. The proceeds of the loan, which is the first Green ECA loan in Saudi Arabia, are being used to purchase buses from Germany for Saudi Arabia’s public transport network. The buses will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as well as alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolitan Riyadh area through a shift towards public transportation.
The loan documentation confirms a commitment to report on positive environmental impacts of the underlying project. In recognition of the use of proceeds and reporting features of the facility, it is compliant with the “Green Loan Principles”, published by the Loan Market Association on 21 March 2018.
This loan is supported by the official ECA of the Federal Republic of Germany – Euler Hermes Aktiengesellschaft. Loans backed by ECAs are increasingly popular with regional borrowers as a means of diversifying their funding sources while securing attractive financing terms.
The buses will help reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution as well as alleviate traffic congestion in the metropolitan Riyadh area through a shift towards public transportation.
Gareth Thomas, HSBC’s Head of Global Banking, Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye, said: “Saudi Arabia is embarking on one of the world’s most ambitious economic transformation programmes and by securing its first ever Green ECA financing it has once again demonstrated its regional leadership in debt markets. HSBC was delighted to play a part in another important milestone for the Kingdom.”
HSBC traces its origins in Saudi Arabia back almost 70 years, during which time it has been an active partner supporting the Kingdom’s economic growth and development. HSBC Group, through its subsidiary and affiliate operations, is the leading international banking and financial services provider in the Kingdom.
